Endowments and Foundations

A partnership aligned with your mission

Every endowment and foundation defines success differently. We partner closely with you to support your institution’s mission, governance priorities, and long‑term objectives. We begin by developing a deep understanding of your goals and constraints and then help shape an investment program and decision-making framework that seeks to meet spending needs while preserving long‑term purchasing power.

Our responsibility is straightforward: to steward your assets in alignment with your mission. That stewardship extends beyond portfolio oversight. We help boards and committees make clearer decisions, strengthen governance, and improve operational effectiveness – so your institution can stay focused on advancing its mission.

With more than 200 years of experience stewarding our own institution, we bring a patient, long‑term perspective designed to help endowments and foundations pursue their objectives across full market cycles.

What Endowments & Foundations Should Know About Spending Rates

In this video, BBH Chief Investment Strategist Scott Clemons discusses current market dynamics, explains how to calculate your organization’s unique spending rate, and provides tangible solutions to organizations grappling with these issues.
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Support for endowments and foundations

In addition to providing institutional investment oversight, we support endowments and foundations in the following areas:

  • Governance and Committee Support

    Practical guidance for boards and investment committees to strengthen oversight and decision-making

  • Spending Rate Analysis

    Guidance establishing the appropriate spending policy for endowments and foundations

  • Investment Policy Statement

    Advice on the creation or review of your investment policy statement

  • Administration Services

    Trustee services that provide continuity while easing administrative burdens

  • Strategy, Operating, and Fundraising Advisory

    Objective advice to help endowments and foundations achieve their mission and goals 

  • Lending

    Flexible, secured lending to help you implement strategies to achieve your objectives1

1Borrowed funds cannot be used to purchase securities in the portfolio.

It is a privilege to serve our endowment and foundation clients. By delivering thoughtful, risk‑aware investment results while supporting critical strategic, operational, and fundraising priorities, we help endowments and foundations advance their missions and pursue long‑term success."
– Justin Reed Partner and Chief Investment Officer

Performance under pressure: A conversation with Dr. Sian Beilock

Dr. Sian Beilock, the first woman president of Dartmouth College and a leading expert in performance psychology, discusses performance under pressure and insights from her studies and work within that field.
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Why BBH for your endowment or foundation

 

  • Built around mission‑led institutions: We support endowments and foundations with investment stewardship and additional services designed to reduce complexity and strengthen oversight.
  • Designed to work with your governance: We complement – not replace – your leadership, committees, and board. Our partnership model is built to strengthen decision‑making, clarify priorities, and improve follow‑through.
  • Deep endowment and foundation expertise: BBH has served endowments and foundations for more than 90 years. Our team includes former endowment and foundation investment office professionals, bringing firsthand institutional experience and a long‑term stewardship mindset to every relationship.

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FAQs

We partner with endowments and foundations to design and implement long-term investment strategies that support sustainable spending while preserving purchasing power. Our approach emphasizes capital preservation and growth through bottom-up research, disciplined portfolio construction, and a focus on downside protection, with the goal of delivering strong relative performance across market cycles, particularly during market downturns.

In addition to our investment platform, we offer advisory services designed to support the broader financial health and governance of endowments and foundations. These services include guidance on capital campaign strategy, spending policy design, board structure and governance, philanthropic impact planning, and access to tax-exempt lending solutions to help meet financing needs.

Our client service philosophy is centered on partnership, accountability, and long-term stewardship. We are committed to helping endowments and foundations achieve their definition of success through a high-touch, customized approach. Our commitment includes:

  • We will take care of your capital as if it were our own.
  • As a private partnership without shareholders, we will put your interests first.
  • We will create customized solutions and offer the highest levels of service to help you comprehensively achieve your goals.
  • We will offer you the exhaustive resources of a global financial services firm while providing high-touch, boutique services.
  • We will go above and beyond to help you achieve the right outcome. In our culture, that is the expectation, not the exception.

Contact Us

1 Borrowed funds cannot be used to purchase securities in the portfolio.

This communication is for informational purposes only.  The information herein has not been based on a consideration of any individual investor’s circumstances and is not investment advice, nor should it be construed in any way as tax, accounting, legal or regulatory advice.  Individuals should consult their personal tax, accounting and legal advisers regarding any potential investment or strategy.  Any views and opinions are subject to change at any time.

This material does not constitute an offer or solicitation in any jurisdiction where or to any person to whom it would be unauthorized to do so.

Investment Advisory Products and Services:

NOT FDIC INSURED   NO BANK GUARANTEE    MAY LOSE VALUE

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